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The Sri Lankan government is taking action to fast track a UN-led process, which may pave the way for the country to expand its oceanic boundaries.
Sri Lanka sought to expand the existing 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone to 800 nautical miles on May 8, 2009, 12 days before defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), especially its sea going arm, the Sea Tigers.
Chairman of the National Oceanic Affairs Committee, Chris Dharmakirti said that Sri Lanka's proposal, a 450-page document would be the basis for the country's claim. Dharmakirti was addressing a media briefing at the Government Information Department. However, it would take 16 years for the UN to consider that proposal as applications of only three countries would be considered annually by the UN, Dharmakirti said, adding that Sri Lanka was the 43rd country, in a queue awaiting their turn.
Explaining the difficulties experienced by the government, in the run-up to submitting Sri Lanka's proposal, Dharmakirti said that the main reason for the delay in the UN process was that those responsible for deciding on bids sat only for six weeks annually.
The official said that Sri Lanka, with the support of 120 countries, had moved what he called an omnibus resolution to rectify the limitations by extending the sittings. "We called for sittings throughout the year, though there was consensus for extending the sittings from six weeks to 26," Dharmakirti said. If agreement could be reached on extended sittings, Sri Lanka's proposal was likely to be taken up in 2018, the expert said.
A top level Sri Lankan delegation was scheduled to leave for New York last night to pursue its campaign at the Annual General Conference on Oceanic Resources.
Emphasising that Sri Lanka was among the countries affected by the slow process in deciding on bids made by various countries, Dharmakirti said that the meeting would be held from June 4 to 12.
Dharmakirti and Dr. N. P. Wijayananda, who heads the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, will be among members of the delegation.
When pointed out by The Island that the government wouldn't have been in a quandary today if it had sent its proposal early, Dharmakirti said that the country lacked the required resources to finalise the report ahead of other countries. He said that initially the country was to submit its claim in 2004, though finally time was given till May, 2009 to finalise it. There had been setbacks, including the death of the Captain of a Russian ship engaged in the operation, he said, adding that subsequently, with the assistance from several parties, the government had managed to finalise the bid. Asked whether Sri Lanka was the last in line, Dharmakirti said that there were a couple of other countries, including India which were behind Sri Lanka. "Despite the delay, we were able to obtain the services of Dr. Ray Woods, who spearheaded New Zealand's successful bid, to prepare our own case," Dharmakirti said.
Wijayananda, who had been involved in the project since its onset, said that the country could acquire vast natural resources, including gas deposits.
Both Dharmakirti and Wijayananda acknowledged the urgent need to launch a project to secure the services of experts in the field, as part of the strategic plan to exploit the situation.
Dharmakirti said that Sri Lanka would have to discuss its claims with its neighbours to ensure speedy agreement on proposed oceanic boundaries.
Sri Lanka to fast track UN initiative to expand oceanic boundaries - NY Daily News
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800 nautical miles
Welcome to "Sri Lankan Ocean"
Sri Lanka sought to expand the existing 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone to 800 nautical miles on May 8, 2009, 12 days before defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), especially its sea going arm, the Sea Tigers.
Chairman of the National Oceanic Affairs Committee, Chris Dharmakirti said that Sri Lanka's proposal, a 450-page document would be the basis for the country's claim. Dharmakirti was addressing a media briefing at the Government Information Department. However, it would take 16 years for the UN to consider that proposal as applications of only three countries would be considered annually by the UN, Dharmakirti said, adding that Sri Lanka was the 43rd country, in a queue awaiting their turn.
Explaining the difficulties experienced by the government, in the run-up to submitting Sri Lanka's proposal, Dharmakirti said that the main reason for the delay in the UN process was that those responsible for deciding on bids sat only for six weeks annually.
The official said that Sri Lanka, with the support of 120 countries, had moved what he called an omnibus resolution to rectify the limitations by extending the sittings. "We called for sittings throughout the year, though there was consensus for extending the sittings from six weeks to 26," Dharmakirti said. If agreement could be reached on extended sittings, Sri Lanka's proposal was likely to be taken up in 2018, the expert said.
A top level Sri Lankan delegation was scheduled to leave for New York last night to pursue its campaign at the Annual General Conference on Oceanic Resources.
Emphasising that Sri Lanka was among the countries affected by the slow process in deciding on bids made by various countries, Dharmakirti said that the meeting would be held from June 4 to 12.
Dharmakirti and Dr. N. P. Wijayananda, who heads the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, will be among members of the delegation.
When pointed out by The Island that the government wouldn't have been in a quandary today if it had sent its proposal early, Dharmakirti said that the country lacked the required resources to finalise the report ahead of other countries. He said that initially the country was to submit its claim in 2004, though finally time was given till May, 2009 to finalise it. There had been setbacks, including the death of the Captain of a Russian ship engaged in the operation, he said, adding that subsequently, with the assistance from several parties, the government had managed to finalise the bid. Asked whether Sri Lanka was the last in line, Dharmakirti said that there were a couple of other countries, including India which were behind Sri Lanka. "Despite the delay, we were able to obtain the services of Dr. Ray Woods, who spearheaded New Zealand's successful bid, to prepare our own case," Dharmakirti said.
Wijayananda, who had been involved in the project since its onset, said that the country could acquire vast natural resources, including gas deposits.
Both Dharmakirti and Wijayananda acknowledged the urgent need to launch a project to secure the services of experts in the field, as part of the strategic plan to exploit the situation.
Dharmakirti said that Sri Lanka would have to discuss its claims with its neighbours to ensure speedy agreement on proposed oceanic boundaries.
Sri Lanka to fast track UN initiative to expand oceanic boundaries - NY Daily News
----------
800 nautical miles
Welcome to "Sri Lankan Ocean"
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